We are iqwat !

The literal meaning of this powerful kashmiri word is…

TOGETHER... BEING TOGETHER... FEELING OF TOGETHERNESS

The Kashmiri Pandit community over multiple exoduses and more recently the one in 1990, has gotten dispersed and strewn all over the globe. As a result of this fragmentation, our rituals, traditions, music, food, language and culture as a whole are at a serious threat. In short, the pride of being a Kashmiri Pandit is dwindling and we may face extinction in a few decades. In order to protect and preserve our identity and the pride of being a Kashmiri Pandit, we will have to collaborate, do it together – do it iqwat.
 
iqwat is a mobile application envisaged to bring us together, savour & protect our culture and keeping our traditions alive. Of the KPs, by the KPs, for the KPs.

Founding Members

It is with this thought of bringing together our community and preserving the fundamental values that we cherish, the idea of “iqwat” was conceived. In today’s world and in the time to come, virtual platforms will play a key role in bridging the gap amongst communities. With small numbers and dispersion, it will be hard for Kashmiri Pandits to have enough mass in any particular physical location. We are launching iqwat as a global virtual platform to help bring all of us together.

Ajay Kaul

Ali Kadal, Srinagar
Ajay has close to 3 decades of experience in business, more than half of which has been as CEO of reputed companies. Ajay is a B.Tech from IIT Delhi & MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur. He has worked with brands like American express, Lufthansa, TNT Express, Jubilant FoodWorks (Domino’s Pizza & Dunkin’ Donuts). Ajay was the CEO of Domino’s Pizza in India for 12 years. Under his leadership, Dominos in India not only became the largest Pizza market in the world, but also one of the most respected food service brand stories in Asia. Ajay is now active in the private equity space, investing in and advising upcoming brands. He is also an angel investor as a part of the INDIAN ANGEL NETWORK. Ajay is a high energy and enthusiastic business leader and intends to bring the same enthusiasm to this venture.
Habba Kadal, Srinagar
After graduating from BITS Pilani, Sanjay pursued MBA from Victoria, Canada. He spent a decade in Canada in multiple executive roles in clean tech industry. Sanjay is a dreamer and a visionary who likes to imagine possibilities. Before founding Sofyx, Sanjay built BlackBerry and Apple business in India and was responsible for leading the game changing innovations in mobility industry.
Rainawari, Srinagar
Mukesh is a business technologist with almost 20 years of Product Development & Technology experience. After graduating from BITS Pilani, Mukesh started off his career in business development before heading off to the US to do MS in Computer Science. Post Masters he joined GAIN Capital, an FX trading startup and played a key role in building it through to IPO to becoming no. 1 FX firm in USA. Subsequently he moved to London as CTO at GAIN Capital and successfully led and executed an incredibly challenging merger of 3 companies. After spending 19 years abroad, living in US and London, Mukesh moved back to India and Co-Founded Sofyx. His can-do attitude and unparalleled passion to drive results is contagious.

Ali Kadal, Srinagar

Ajay has close to 3 decades of experience in business, more than half of which has been as CEO of reputed companies. Ajay is a B.Tech from IIT Delhi & MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur. He has worked with brands like American express, Lufthansa, TNT Express, Jubilant FoodWorks (Domino’s Pizza & Dunkin’ Donuts). Ajay was the CEO of Domino’s Pizza in India for 12 years. Under his leadership, Dominos in India not only became the largest Pizza market in the world, but also one of the most respected food service brand stories in Asia. Ajay is now active in the private equity space, investing in and advising upcoming brands. He is also an angel investor as a part of the INDIAN ANGEL NETWORK. Ajay is a high energy and enthusiastic business leader and intends to bring the same enthusiasm to this venture.

Rainawari, Srinagar

Mukesh is a business technologist with almost 20 years of Product Development & Technology experience. After graduating from BITS Pilani, Mukesh started off his career in business development before heading off to the US to do MS in Computer Science. Post Masters he joined GAIN Capital, an FX trading startup and played a key role in building it through to IPO to becoming no. 1 FX firm in USA. Subsequently he moved to London as CTO at GAIN Capital and successfully led and executed an incredibly challenging merger of 3 companies. After spending 19 years abroad, living in US and London, Mukesh moved back to India and Co-Founded Sofyx. His can-do attitude and unparalleled passion to drive results is contagious.

Habba Kadal, Srinagar

After graduating from BITS Pilani, Sanjay pursued MBA from Victoria, Canada. He spent a decade in Canada in multiple executive roles in clean tech industry. Sanjay is a dreamer and a visionary who likes to imagine possibilities. Before founding Sofyx, Sanjay built BlackBerry and Apple business in India and was responsible for leading the game changing innovations in mobility industry.

Our Team

We are a team of experienced and passionate professionals with one goal. Each member brings in unique capabilities in design, internet technology, product and market adoption. We are a unique set up with an early team that is seasoned and brings decades of relevant experience in each of these domains.

Vishali Raina

Chowgam, Anantnag
Post graduating from BITS, Pilani Vishali has worked in various roles in the banking and investment sector that included that of technologist, business analyst, market strategist, data analyst and product analyst to name a few. In her 18 years of experience she has worked with TCS, Standard Chartered, Citi, UBS, BNY and SIG in Singapore and US. Vishali thrives in high pressure, fast paced environment and brings to table the positive energy and a happy go lucky attitude that is backed by grit and immense perseverance. Travelling and reading are her favourite pastimes.

Ritika Shah

New Delhi
With a knack for detail and a penchant for creativity, Ritika brings her artistic fervor to the company. She has over 5 years of experience handling teams and independent projects involving content creation for marketing collateral ranging from digital marketing media to outdoor branding.Her experience working in radically diverse environments – startups, production houses, multinational companies, has lead to her having a very adaptive mindset which she makes the best use of to crack any design challenge thrown at her.

Samiksha Thusoo

Rainawari, Srinagar
From being the student of the year and a star basketball player in school to among the college toppers, Samiksha has always been an all-rounder. She took a big leap in her career joining the industry right after her graduation in journalism and mass communication. She is the company’s lead anchor and works with the content from its research, scripting to finally presenting it with eloquence. She speaks through her expressions both on and off camera.

Chowgam, Anantnag

Post graduating from BITS, Pilani Vishali has worked in various roles in the banking and investment sector that included that of technologist, business analyst, market strategist, data analyst and product analyst to name a few. In her 18 years of experience she has worked with TCS, Standard Chartered, Citi, UBS, BNY and SIG in Singapore and US. Vishali thrives in high pressure, fast paced environment and brings to table the positive energy and a happy go lucky attitude that is backed by grit and immense perseverance. Travelling and reading are her favourite pastimes.

New Delhi

With a knack for detail and a penchant for creativity, Ritika brings her artistic fervor to the company. She has over 5 years of experience handling teams and independent projects involving content creation for marketing collateral ranging from digital marketing media to outdoor branding.Her experience working in radically diverse environments – startups, production houses, multinational companies, has lead to her having a very adaptive mindset which she makes the best use of to crack any design challenge thrown at her.

Rainawari, Srinagar

From being the student of the year and a star basketball player in school to among the college toppers, Samiksha has always been an all-rounder. She took a big leap in her career joining the industry right after her graduation in journalism and mass communication. She is the company’s lead anchor and works with the content from its research, scripting to finally presenting it with eloquence. She speaks through her expressions both on and off camera.

Friends of iqwat...

Vandna

Vandna Raina

Rainawari, Srinagar

Vandna Raina

Rainawari, Srinagar

PP1

Preetpal Singh

Gurgaon, Haryana

Gurgaon, Haryana

Natasha Zalpuri

Natasha Zalpuri

Rainawari, Srinagar

Rainawari, Srinagar

Arti

Aarti Peshin

Karan Nagar, Srinagar

Karan Nagar, Srinagar

Shreshta

Shreshta Raina

Ashajipora, Anantnag

Ashajipora, Anantnag

Karishma New

Karishma Kaul

Natipora, Srinagar

Natipora, Srinagar

Kajal Kaul

Kajal Kaul

Natipora, Srinagar

Natipora, Srinagar

Umang Thusoo

Umang Thusoo

Rainawari, Srinagar

Rainawari, Srinagar

Arshia

Arshia Kaul

Chhattabal, Srinagar

Chhattabal, Srinagar

Sakshi Pandita

Krangsoo, Anantnag

Krangsoo, Anantnag

Aman Singh Bhamraw

Kota, Rajasthan

Kota, Rajasthan

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